Autonomous Vehicle Loading via Digital Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency and time-consuming nature of human personnel driving vehicles for loading and unloading at transport stations, such as ships, trains, and airplanes, which prevents them from performing other tasks and can lead to delays.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an autonomous vehicle loading system using digital maps to enable vehicles to navigate and park independently at loading stations and transport vehicles, allowing them to drive autonomously, with guidance from loading management systems that consider vehicle parameters and coordinate sequences for efficient loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If human personnel drive vehicles onto transport vehicles, then the loading process can be completed, but it is time-consuming and prevents personnel from performing other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle autonomously drives itself onto the transport vehicle using its own driving system, eliminating the need for external human operators. The vehicle navigates independently using digital maps and autonomous driving capabilities, thereby freeing personnel for other tasks and reducing loading time.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of human personnel entering and controlling the vehicle is replaced by an automated electronic control system. The loading management system coordinates with the vehicle's autonomous driving system to execute the loading maneuver without human intervention, substituting human mechanical action with automated control.
2Productivity
If human personnel manually drive vehicles for loading, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but the process becomes inefficient and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle performs the loading operation autonomously without requiring human operators to enter or control it. The autonomous driving system handles navigation, positioning, and execution of the loading maneuver, simplifying the operational process while increasing loading speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the loading operation in advance by planning the route, selecting optimal destination positions on the transport vehicle, and coordinating with the loading management system before execution. This preliminary planning enables faster and more efficient loading without compromising operational simplicity.
3Loss of time
If autonomous driving is implemented using digital maps, then loading time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle's existing autonomous driving system, originally designed for navigation and parking, is utilized for the loading operation. The digital maps and autonomous driving capabilities serve multiple functions including route planning, position selection, and execution of loading maneuvers, thereby managing complexity through multi-functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading management system acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the vehicle's autonomous driving system and the transport vehicle's positioning system. It provides digital maps and destination position information to the vehicle, enabling autonomous loading without requiring complex direct integration between all system components.
4Productivity
If vehicles drive autonomously without drivers, then personnel can perform other tasks, but monitoring and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The loading management system receives status information from the vehicle's autonomous driving system and provides coordination instructions in return. This feedback loop enables monitoring of the autonomous loading process and allows personnel to focus on higher-level coordination tasks rather than direct vehicle control.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading operation is divided into distinct functional segments: route planning by the autonomous driving system, coordination by the loading management system, and execution by the vehicle's driving system. This segmentation allows personnel to focus on coordination tasks while automated systems handle execution, increasing overall productivity without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for loading a vehicle, wherein, based on a digital loading station map of a loading station and a digital transport vehicle map of a transport vehicle, the vehicle drives autonomously from the loading station onto the transport vehicle or vice versa. A loading management system, a loading station, and a computer program are also described.